Switch



Feb. 10, 1942. c. I. SMITH ETAL SWITCH Filed May 1, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

Feb. 10, 1.942.

C. 1. SMITH ET AL SWITCH Filed May i, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zhmentors CH/Q/S OPHER I SMITH and i/DNEY ROCK attorney Feb. 10, 1942. c. I. SMITH ET AL 2,272,730

SWITCH Filed May 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zhwentors CHRISTOPHER I SMITH and SIDNEY ROCK M4 05 (Ittotneg Feb. 10, 1942.

C. I. SMITH ET AL SWITCH Filed May 1, 1959 4 SheetsSheet 4 Nil and S/DNEY RocK (Ittorneg Patented Feb. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH Application May 1, 1939, Serial N0. 271,074

(Cl. ZOO-67) 20 Claims.

This invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to quick make and quick break switches arranged within a casing and operable by a handle mounted on the casing externally thereof.

One object of the inVention is to provide a switch of the quick make and quick break type with means to prevent the movable switch member or members and the actuating mechanism from being inadvertently retained in a position intermediate switch opening and closing positions. Another object of the invention in this connection is to provide means for causing the switch-operating handle to return from an intermediate position to a position in which it indicates whether the switch is open or closed. In other words, in the event that the operator moves the handle to an intermediate position without, however, opening or closing the switch as the case may be, the switch operating mechanism is returned to the initial position thereof and the handle is also returned to a position which indicates whether the switch is open or whether it is closed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a quick make and break switch-operating mechanism constructed and arranged to eliminate dead-centering thereof and for that purpose provided with two interconnected spring-controlled toggle mechanisms having different dead-center positions and arranged so that one toggle mechanism assists the other in actuating the switch for opening or closing thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch-operating mechanism which is simple in construction and effective in operation and which comprises parts which can be economically manufactured and readily assembled.

The above objects of the invention and other objects which might hereinafter appear will be fully understood from the following description considered with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention, it being understood, however, that said drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and are not limitative thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the switch, the casing cover being shown in open position;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section on the line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the position of the parts when the switch is open;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the position of the parts when the switch is closed;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective View of the Q switch operating mechanism and part of the casmg;

Figs. 4A and 4B are side views, respectively, of parts of the operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is an end view of a bearing for one end of the switch operating rod;

Fig. 7 is a sectional View on the line 'I'! of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the switch block shown in section in Fig. '7, the movable contact member being omitted;

Fig. 9 is a View of a terminal supporting block which is mounted within the switch casing as illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view on the line Iii-l0 of Fig. 7.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the switch comprises a metal casing l0 provided with a pivoted cover l2, shown in open position, but ordinarily releasably held in closed position in any suitable way as by the engagement of a spring latch l4 secured to the inner surface of casing wall I8 adjacent the upper end thereof and releasably engageable with cover I2 at an edge of an opening through said cover. Switch blocks 22 of insulating material are arranged in spaced parallel relation in casing H], as illustrated in Fig. l, and are removably secured in any suitable way to casing wall 24. As clearly shown in Figs. 7 and 8, each block 22 carries stationary contact members 26 and 28 housed within the block and having extensions 30 and 32, respectively, connected to line and fuse-blade terminals 34 and 36, respectively. Line terminal 34 is clamped in electrical contact with switch contact portion 30 by a pair of screws 35 extending through switch contact portion 30 and line terminal member 3'! and engaged by nuts 39. Contact portion 32 of contact 28 is secured to the foot 4| of fuse-blade terminal 36 by a pair of screws 43 which have their free ends threaded into aligned openings in said switch contact portion 32 and said foot 4| of the fuseblade terminal. Blocks 22 may be secured to casing wall 24 in any suitable way as by screws passing through openings and 41 in said block and threaded into openings in said wall.

An insulation block 38 is mounted within casing Ill and is secured to wall 24 thereof in any suitable way as by screws 49 which pass through openings 42 in said block and are threaded into casing wall 24. Block 38 is provided at the top thereof with fuse-blade terminals 44 arranged in projections 50.

alignment with the companion fuse-blade terminals 36 on the several switch blocks 22. Said fuse-blade terminals 44 are secured to block 38 by screws 46, which extend through openings 48 in the spaced projections 58 of said block, through foot portions 52 of fuse-blade terminals 44, and through the blades 54, respectively, of terminals 56 where the threaded end of said screws are engaged by nuts 58 which clamp terminals 44 and 56 together at the top surface of Access to the heads of screws 46 can be obtained through the bottom of block 38 through openings 60 therein, said openings being continuous with openings 48 but slightly larger than the latter to provide shoulders 62 for the heads of screws 46. It will be understood that access to the screws (not shown) which project through openings 42 in block 38 for securing said block to casing wall 24 can be had from the top of said block through holes 64 which are somewhat larger than openings 42 to provide shoulders 66 forming seats for the heads of the fastening screws.

The movable switch contact member 68 (Fig. 7), which engages the stationary contact members Hand 28 in each block 22, is mounted on a sector-shaped insulation disk H1, which may be composed of any suitable insulation material, such as fibre board. Said contact member, as

clearly shown in Figs. '7 and 10, is rigidly fas- 3 tened to insulation member Iii, preferably in the manner illustrated whereby opposite sides I2 of said contact member are in engagement with opposite sides of said insulation member, the latter being provided with a radial slot I4 in which contact member 68 is inserted. When insulation member I0 is rotated clockwise (viewing Fig. '7) the opposite sides of switch contact member I2 engage the confronting surfaces of stationary contact members 26 and 28, respectively, to complete the circuit therebetween. It will be observed that the ends of said stationary members have pointed and outwardly rounded end portions 26a and 28a, respectively, end portion 28a being of the same contour as end portion 26d. Thus said end portions are arranged in somewhat diverging relation to facilitate the movement of switch contact member I2 into and from the space between the stationary contact members. It will be understood that each switch block 22 has disposed therein an insulation member I0 carrying a movable switch contact memher for engagement with companion stationary contact members 26 and 28.

The insulation disks 18 are mounted on an operating bar or rod I6, each of said disks being provided with a slot 18 conforming to the cross section of said operating rod. The switch blocks 22 have aligned recesses 80 in the opposite side walls thereof through which switch operating rod 16 extends. Rod I6 is supported at its ends for turning movement in two directions about its longitudinal axis in bearings 82 and 84. Said last mentioned bearing member comprises members 86 and 88 which will hereinafter be more specifically described. Said bearings are secured to casing wall 24, preferably by being welded thereto, it being observed that in reference to bearing 84, member 86 thereof is welded to said casing wall while bearing member 88 is welded to bearing member 86. Bearing 82 and bearing members 86 and 88 are each provided with openings 9 which receive the adjacent end portions of switch operating rod I6. Each opening 90 is defined by opposed arcuate edges 92 and 93, which are slidably engaged by the arcuate side edges of rod I5, and by opposed pointed edges 94, said last mentioned edges serving as knife edge bearing for rod 16. A cap 96 is welded to bearing 82 and has a central portion 98 over the opening 9:) in said bearing spaced somewhat from the adjacent surface of said bearing to permit an edge portion of rod 16 to project through said opening 9t and to confine said red against movement in one direction.

Rod I6 is actuated by a handle Iili) through the quick-make-and-break mechanism which will now be described. Said mechanism comprises levers I02 and IDA each forming part of a toggle as will hereinafter appear, said levers being Thus each of said levers has a lost motion connection with rod "I6. Lever I02 has spaced projections Hil and II?. extending radially from the plate of the lever in the same plane therewith, and an intermediate projection II4 extending from the arcuate portion I It of th lever plate toward lever II! in a direction substantially parallel to rod 16. Said last mentioned lever is provided with radial projections lit and I24) and an intervening arcuate edge portion I22. Levers I02 and 04 are positioned adjacent each other as shown in Fig. 5 so that projection II4 is in position to engage and be engaged by the confronting edges I24 and I26 of projections H3 and IE0, respectively, of the lever I04.

Projection IIc of lever I92 is provided with an opening I 28 which communicates with an open end slot I38. Said projection I If! is engaged by the forked end I32 of a rod I34 which is also provided with an opening 338 adjacent said forked end, whereby said end of the rod is connected to projection III) by inserting the same through slot I30, the spaced portions of projections III) at opposite sides of slot 530 being received Within opening I36 in said rod, and movable therein providing a pivotal connection between lever IEBZ and rod I34. The other end portion of rod I34 is slidably engageable with a bracket I38 secured preferably by welding thereof to casing wall I8. For thi purpose, bracket I38 is provided with an abutment portion I40 having an open end slot I42 therein through which said end portion of rod I34 projects for sliding movement.

A coiled compression spring I44 surrounds rod I34 and extends longitudinally thereof engaging at its opposite ends respectively the abutment I 40 of bracket I38 and the abutment provided by the shoulders I46 formed adjacent the forked end I32 of said rod. The free end portions I48 of abutment I40 at opposite sides of slot I42 are reflexed somewhat to prevent unintentional disengagement of rod I34 and spring M4 from bracket I38. By the arrangement thus provided, lever M12 is effective to rock operating rod I6 with a snap action in both directions after movement of said lever is initiated by handle Ifiil in the manner which will hereinafter appear. Movement of rod I6 in either direction is limited by the engagement of edges I50 and 152 with the foot portion 86a of bearing member 85, which is welded to and seated under the foot portion 88a of bearing member 88, and also by the pointed edges of opening I 06. As said edges I50 and I52 of lever I02 strike with considerable force under the action of spring projected rod I34, it is desirable to provide for their engagement with foot 88a instead of directly on wall 24 thus preventing loosening of the connection of bearing 84 with said wall. Thus, lever I02 and rod I34 constitute arms of a spring projected toggle mechanism for actuating rod 16.

Lever I04 also constitutes part of a toggle mechanism and like lever I02 is connected to a spring projected rod. For this purpose, the projection I 20 of lever I04 has an opening I54 which communicates with an open end slot I56 for the connection with said projection of the lever of the forked end I58 of rod I60. Said last mentioned rod is similar in all respects to rod I34, and like the latter, has an end portion arranged to slidably engage a bracket I62 which is of the same construction as bracket I38 and like the latter is welded to casing wall I8. The spring for rod I06 is indicated at I64. Lever I04 is, like lever I02, provided with straight edge portions I66 and I68 on projections H8 and I20, respectively, for limiting the movement of said lever in opposite directions, said edges being engageable with foot 88a of bearing member 88.

The movements of levers I02 and I04 are initiated under the control of handle I and are completed by the spring projected rods I34 and I60, respectively, upon overcentering of the toggles, that is immediately after the parts of each toggle mechanism are moved just beyond their dead center positions. For this purpose there is provided a manually operable member here shown as a metal disk I10 which has an integral axially extending projection I12. Connecting disk I10 is rigidly secured to the reduced hub portion I14 of handle I00 by screws I16 which pass through said handle portion and are threaded into diametrically opposed openings I18 in said disk. It will be observed that reduced hub portion I14 of the handle has a cylindrical edge I80 which engages the cylindrical edge of the opening I82 in casing wall I8 whereby the handle is journalled for rotation in said casing wall. A spring washer I84 is disposed about hub portion I14 in position between the outer surface of casing wall and the peripheral shoulder I86 of the handle whereby to prevent excess loose movement of the handle and of disk I10. Said spring serves when disk I10 is connected to hub portion I14 by screws I16 to frictionally and resiliently engage the outer surface of front wall I8 and to hold the surface of disk I10 adjacent the inner surface of wall I8 resiliently and frictionally in abutment with said wall surface. Thus, it will be observed that disk I10 has a lost motion connection with the toggles and more particularly with the toggle arms constituted by levers I02 and I04, under the control of the handle, and that projection I12 of said disk is positioned for movement over the arcuate edges H6 and I22 of said levers, respectively, between the opposed confronting edges of the projections H0 and H2 of lever I02 and of projections H8 and I20 of lever I04 being engageable with said edges of the pro jections upon predetermined movement of the handle. It will be observed also that the toggle arms constituted by levers I02 and I04 have a relative movement with respect to each other on rod 16. This is provided by the somewhat different configurations of openings I06 and I08 in levers I02 and I04, respectively, apparent from a. comparison of Figs. 4A and 4B. As here shown the arcuate edges I08a of opening I08 are slightly longer than the arcuate edges I06a of opening I06, it being understood that all of said arcuate edges are slidably engaged by the adjacent arcuate side edges, respectively, of rod 16. This permits one toggle to be overcentered before the other under the control of manually operable member I10 in both directions of the turning of rod 16 and causes one toggle, after it is overcentered, to assist in overcentering the other toggle.

The action of the toggle mechanisms under the control of manually operable member I10 will be more clearly apparent by reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings. In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 2, the movable switch contact members are in fully disengaged position, the switch being open, and it will be observed that rod I34 of the toggle mechanism which includes lever I02 is fully projected, while rod I60 of the toggle mechanism which includes lever I04 is partly projected, although both levers are in the extreme positions which they occupy when theswitch is in open position. Further, it will be observed that in this position of the parts, projection IIO of lever I02 is circumferentially displaced in relation to projection II8 of lever I04 whereby upon movement of the handle to switch closing position, projection I12 of member I10 first engages projection IIO of lever I02 thereby moving said lever counter-clockwise (viewing Fig. 2) through an arc of several degrees before projection I12 of member I10 engages the projection II8 of lever I 04. Continued movement of lever I02 by connecting member I10 in the same direction causes projection I12 of said member to engage projection I I8 of lever I04 and thereafter the two levers are moved together by said connecting disk in the same direction under the control of the handle until each toggle has passed beyond its dead center after which the spring projected rods of said toggles act together and are effective to complete the movement of the levers to their other extreme or switch-closing position independently of handle I00 and of member I10 actuated thereby, said last mentioned movement being possible by reason of the lost motion connection between member I10 and the toggle levers I02 and I04. In this actuation of the mechanism to close the switch the toggle which includes lever I04 is overcentered before the other toggle and therefore assists in overcentering the latter.

The position of the parts of the toggle mechanisms when the switch is closed is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and it will be observed that in this case rod I60 is fully projected while rod I34 is partly, although almost completely projected, and that projection I20 of lever I04 is displaced circumferentially in relation to projection II2 of lever I02 in a counter-clockwise direction (viewing Fig. 3). Accordingly, when the switch handle is actuated for opening the switch and pursuant thereto is turned in a clock wise direction (still viewing Fig. 3), the projection I12 of member I10 first engages projection I20 of lever I04 and after a predetermined movement of said lever engages projection I I 2 of lever I02, after which both levers are moved together under the control of the handle until the toggle mechanisms pass their dead centers, after which the levers are moved independently of the handle-actuated connecting lever I10 by their spring projected rods I and I34, respectively, until the movable switch members are fully disengaged and the switch is open. In this actuation of the mechanism to open the switch the toggle which includes lever I02 is overcentered before the other toggle and therefore assists in overcentering the latter. In this case, projection II4 of lever I02 forcibly strikes edge I26 of projection I20 of lever I04, thus moving lever I04 with sufficient force to overcenter the toggle thereof. The position of the parts of the mechanism when the switch is open is, as stated above, illustrated in Fig. 2.

Provision is made for compelling the return of the toggle mechanisms to their extreme positions, either extreme switch-open position or extreme switch-closed position, as the case may be, at the time of initiation of movement of the parts, whereby to prevent partial disengagement or partial engagement of the movable switch contact members with the stationary contact mem bers, and to prevent also the parts of the quickmake and break mechanisms from assuming an intermediate position. In other words, assuming that the switch is closed and the handle is not moved far enough to cause the toggle mechanisms to open the switch, the parts will be returned to their initial positions if the handle is released. Likewise, if the switch is in open position and the handle is actuated to initiate the closing of the switch, but is released before the toggle mechanisms are sufficiently actuated for that purpose, said toggle mechanisms will be returned automatically to their switch-opening position and this will be indicated by the position of the handle. The manner in which this is accornp shed will now be described.

It will be observed that levers I02 and I04 are both moved in one direction for closing the switch and are both moved in the opposite direction. for opening the switch, and that lever I10, operated by handle I00, engages and moves both of said levers in succession in said first mentioned direction for closing the switch and also engages and mov s both of said levers in succession in said i rte direction for opening the switch.

ing that the switch is closed, the parts gle mechanisms being in the position illustrated in Fig. 3, upon movement of handle I00 to an intermediate position and upon release of the handle before the toggles are actuated suiilciently to cause rod IE to effect disengagement of the contact members, spring projected rod Iii? of the tog le including lever I04 will cause said lever to move in a counter-clockwise dieccion (viewing Fig. 3) and lever I62 will be similarly moved by spring projected rod I34, both levers moving to their extreme switch-closing position. This movement of said levers to switch-closing position, following the release of the handle by the operator, is effective to return the handle to a position which indicates that the switch is closed, said return movement of the handle taking place by reason of the engagement of projection I20 with projection I12 of member H0. Assuming now that the switch is in open position, the parts of the mechanisms in this position of the switch being illustrated in Fig. 2, and the operator proceeds to operate the switch but releases the handle before the toggle mechanisms are sufliciently actuated under the control thereof for closing the switch, the toggle levers I02 and I04 are projected in a clockwise direction (viewing Fig. 2) by the companion spring projected rods of the toggle mechanisms and the handle is returned to open-switch indicating position by the engagement of projections H0 and H8 with projection In of member I10.

It will be noted that each opening of bearing members 86 and 88 has a notch 93a formed in the edge 93 of each of said openings. This notch serves to prevent the shaft from moving from its oif position while the handle is being moved toward the on position of the switch until all of the lost motion in toggle plates I02 and I04 with respect to shaft "I6 has been taken up, thereby eliminating the danger of the shaft moving as soon as the toggle plates are moved whereby the switch might make contact before the toggles are overcentered.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that the latter may be embodied otherwise than as here shown and that in the form of the invention herein shown or described certain changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made. Accordingly, we do not wish to be limited to the form of the invention herein disclosed except as may be required by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, an operating member mounted for movement in two directions and operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a separate pair of spring controlled toggle arms, said plurality of toggles being operatively connected to said operating member for jointly moving the latter in either of said directions, one arm of each of said toggles having a lost motion connection with said operating member, and a manually operable member having a lost motion connection with each of said last mentioned arms and engageable therewith in succession during the movement of said manually operable member in the same direction for initiating the actions of said toggles.

2. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, an operating member mounted for movement in two directions and operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a separate pair of spring controlled toggle arms, said plurality of toggles being operatively connected to said operating member for jointly moving the latter in either of said directions, certain of said toggle arms being mounted on said operating member and having a lost motion engagement therewith, said last mentioned toggle arms having spaced projections, the projections on one of said toggle arms being offset from the corresponding projections of another of said toggle arms, and a manually operable member engageable first in succession and then simultaneously with certain of said projections of said last mentioned toggle arms for moving said last mentioned arms in one direction for initiating the action of said toggles to actuate said operating member to engage said contact members and engageable first in succession and then simultaneously with others of said projections for moving said last mentioned arms in the opposite direction for initiating the action of said toggles to actuate said operating member to disengage said contact members.

3. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, an operating member mounted for movement in two directions and operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a separate pair of spring controlled toggle arms, said plurality of toggles being operatively connected to said operating member for jointly moving the latter in either of said directions, certain. of said toggle arms engaging said operating memher and having a limited movement in relation thereto, said last mentioned toggle arms being movable in the same direction, for closing the switch, and movable in the same direction but opposite to said first mentioned direction, for opening the switch, and a manually operable member engageable with said last mentioned arms first in succession and thereafter simultaneously during the movement of said manually operable member in the same direction for initiating the action of said toggles.

4. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, an operating member mounted for movement in two directions and operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a separate pair of spring controlled toggle arms, said plurality of toggles being operatively connected to said operating member for jointly moving the latter in either or said directions, certain of said toggle arms engaging said operating member and having a limited movement in relation thereto, said last mentioned toggle arms being movable in the same direction, for closing the switch, and movable in the same direction but opposite to said first mentioned direction, for opening the switch, said last mentioned toggle arms having spaced projections, and a man ually operable member movable in opposite directions, said manually operable member being engageable with certain of said projections first in succession and then simultaneously during the movement of said manually operable member in one direction for initiating the action of said toggles to actuate said operating member to engage said contact members and engageable with others of said projections first in succession and then simultaneously during the movement of said manually operable member in the opposite direction for initiating the action of said toggles to actuate said operating member to disengage said contact members.

5. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, an operating member mounted for movement in two directions and operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, and means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms, said plurality of toggles being operatively connected to said operating member for jointly moving the latter in either of said directions, each of said toggles having a toggle arm having a lost motion connection with said operating member, means including a handle for initiating the actuation of said toggles, said handle being movable in the same direction from one position to another in the operation thereof for opening the switch, and means including said last mentioned toggle arms for moving said handle in the opposite direction for returning said handle to said one position unless the actuation of said toggles is completed to open the switch.

6. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, an operating member mounted for movement in two directions and operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms, said plurality of toggles being operatively connected to said operating member for jointly moving the latter in either of said directions, each of said toggles having a toggle arm having a bearing on and a lost motion connection with said operating member, and a manually operable member having a lost motion connection with each of said toggle arms, said manually operable member being movable from one position to another for operating said toggle arms, and means including parts of said last mentioned toggle arms engageable with said manually operable member for returning the latter to said one position unless said plurality of toggles are fully actuated for opening the switch.

'7. An electric switch comprising relatively movable contact members engageable with and disengageable from each other, an operating member comprising a rod operatively connected to one of said contact members for engaging and. disengaging the same, a plurality of toggles connected to said rod, a spring connected to each of said toggles for opposing straightening thereof from one direction and for collapsing said toggles following the overcentering thereof in the opposite direction, and movable means having a lost motion connection with each of said plurality of toggles and operative upon a predetermined movement in one direction to overcenter said plurality of toggles, said rod being straight from one end to the other and passing through one arm of each of said toggles, each of said last mentioned arms having a limited'turning movement on said rod, said toggles being effective, through said connection thereof with said operating rod, to actuate the latter, during said collapse of the toggles under the action of said springs, to engage or disengage said contact members with a snap action, said toggles being so arranged in relation to each other and operatively connected to said operating member in such manner that they are overcentered one after the other during said predetermined movement of said movable member in one direction.

8. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contact members, a quick make and break mechanism for moving said movable contact member into and out of engagement with said stationary contact member, said mechanism including a rod carrying said movable contact member, a plurality of pairs of pivotally connected levers, one lever of each pair engaging said rod and having a limited pivotal movement thereon providing a lost-motion connection therewith, and a handle having a lost motion connection with each of the last mentioned levers of each pair of levers for initiating the movement thereof selectively for engaging and disengaging said contact members, said handle being movable from one position to another position, said mechanism including also spring means for completing the movement of said levers after the initiation of the movement thereof by said handle, said pairs of levers being so arranged in relation to each other and to said rod that the movement of one of said pairs of levers is completed after the movement of another of said pairs of levers is completed, said levers which engage said rod being effective to return said handle to said one position unless the opening operation of the switch is completed.

9. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contact members, a quick make and break mechanism for moving said movable contact member into and out of engagement with said stationary contact member, said mechanism including a rod mounted for turning movement in two directions about its longitudinal axis, a plurality of toggles extending transversely of said rod and operatively connected thereto for jointly turning said rod in either of said directions, each of said toggles comprising a toggle arm engaging said rod and having a limited pivotal movement thereon providing a lost motion connection with said rod whereby said arms can turn with said rod and also independently thereof to a limited extent, said toggles being so arranged in relation to each other and to said rod that they are overcentered one after the other during the movement of said rod in either of said directions, and means for actuating said toggles.

10. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contact members, a quick make and break mechanism for moving said movable contact member into and out of engagement with said stationary contact member, said mechanism including a rod mounted for turning movement in two directions about its longitudinal axis, said rod extending along a straight line for the full length thereof, a plurality of toggles extending transversely of said rod and operatively connected thereto for jointly turning said rod in either of said directions, each of said toggles comprising a toggle arm engaging said rod and having a limited pivotal movement thereon providing a lost motion connection with said rod whereby said arms can turn with said rod and also independently thereof to a limited extent, said toggles being so arranged in relation to each other and to said rod that they are overcentered one after the other during the movement of said rod in either of said directions, and means having a lost motion connection with said toggles for actuating the latter to overcenter the same and to permit the overcentered toggles to complete their action independently of said means.

11. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contact members, a quick make and break mechanism for moving said movable contact member into and out of engagement with said stationary contact member, said mechanism including a rod mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, said rod extending along a straight line for the full length thereof, a plurality of toggles extending transversely of said rod and connected thereto, each of said toggles comprising a toggle arm seated on said rod and having a lost motion connection with said rod whereby said arms can turn with said rod and also independently thereof to a limited extent, said last mentioned toggle arms also hav ing a limited relative movement in respect to each other, and means on one of said last mentioned toggle arms engageable with another of said last mentioned toggle arms for effecting the actuation of the toggle which includes said other last mentioned arm.

12. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, a longitudinally extending operating member having an intermediate portion operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, said operating member having end portions in line with said intermediate portions, bearings engaging said end portions for supporting said longitudinally extending member for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms operatively connected to said operating member for actuat ing the latter, said toggles comprising arms engaging said longitudinally extending member between said ends thereof, manually operable means movable for actuating said toggles to overcenter the same, said toggles being so arranged in relation to each other and to said operating member that they are overcentered one after the other during each actuation of said operating member, said toggles being effective to return said manually operable member to said one position if it is released before said plurality of toggles are overcentered.

13. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, a longitudinally extending operating member having an intermediate portion operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, said operating member having end portions in line with said intermediate portions, bearings engaging said end portions for supporting said longitudinally extending member for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms operatively connected to said operating member for actuating the latter, each of said toggles including an arm having a lost motion connection with said operating member, said last mentioned arms having limited movement in respect to each other, said toggles comprising arms engaging said longitudinally extending member between said ends thereof, manually operable means engageable with said last mentioned arms to overcenter said toggles, said toggles being so arranged in relation to each other and to said operating member that they are overcentered one after the other during each actuation of said operating member, said toggles being effective to return said manually operable member to said one position if it is released before said plurality of toggles are overcentered.

14. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, a longitudinally extending operating member operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms operatively connected to said operating member for actuating the latter, each of said toggles including an arm having a lost motion connection with said operating member, said last mentioned arms having limited movement in respect to each other, said toggles being operable for overcentering thereof one in advance of another, and a manually operable member mounted for turning movement from one position to another and operatively connected to said toggles for overcentering the same one in advance of another during the turning movement of said manually operable'member in the same direction, said last mentioned arms extending transversely of said longitudinally extending member and each having a pair of spaced projections, said manually operable member being engageable with adjacent projections of each pair for initiating the action of said toggles, one of said last mentioned arms having a projection extending transversely of the projections of the other of said last mentioned arms for engagement with the latter whereby the toggle which is first overcentered aids in overcentering the other toggle.

15. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, a longitudinally extending operating member operatively connected to one of said contact members for effecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms operatively connected to said operating member for actuating the latter, said toggles being operable for overcentering thereof one in advance of another, manually operable means movable for actuating said toggles to overcenter the same so that one toggle is overcentered before another of said toggles, said last mentioned arms extending transversely of said longitudinally extending member and each having a pair of spaced projections, said manually operable member being engageable with adjacent projections of each pair for initiating the action of said toggles, one of said last mentioned arms having a projection extending transversely of the projections of the other of said last mentioned arms for engagement with the latter whereby the toggle which is first overcentered aids in overcentering the other toggle, and means on certain arms of said toggles engageable with said manually operable member to reverse the movement of the latter if the same is released from manual control before at least one of said toggles is overcentered.

16. A switch comprising contact members relatively movable for engagement with and disengagement from each other for closing and opening the switch, an operating member operatively connected to one of said contact members for eifecting said relative movement thereof for engaging and disengaging said contact members, means for actuating said operating member comprising a plurality of toggles, each including a pair of spring controlled toggle arms operatively connected to said operating member for actuating the latter, said toggles being operable for overcentering thereof one in advance of another, manually operable means movable for actuating said toggles to overcenter the same so that one toggle is overcentered before another of said toggles, both of said toggles being overcentered in the same direction for disengaging said relatively movable contact members and having parts engageable with each other so that the toggle which is first overcentered aids in overcentering the other toggle, and means on certain arms of said toggles engageable with said manually operable member to reverse the movement of the latter if the same is released from manual control before said toggles have actuated sufficiently to disengage said contact members, said manually operable member being engageable first in succession and then simultaneously with said last mentioned arms for actuating said toggles.

1'7. An electric switch comprising relatively movable contact members engageable with and disengageable from each other, an operating rod mounted for turning movement in two directions about its longitudinal axis and operatively connected to one of said contact members for engaging and disengaging said contact members, levers mounted on said rod and having a limited turning movement thereon in two directions about said rod axis and also turnable with said rod in both of said directions, said levers being movable first one after the other and then simultaneously in the same direction for opening the switch and in the same way but in a direction opposite to said first mentioned direction for closing the switch, a spring controlled member pivotally connected to each of said levers and forming a toggle therewith, and actuating means having a lost motion connection with said levers for turning the latter on said rod and for straightening each of said toggles from one direction in opposition to said springs, thereby stressing the latter and for overcentering said toggles in the opposite direction whereby said spring controlled rods are effective to turn said levers and said operating rod to complete the movement of the latter independently of said ac tuating means, said toggles being so arranged in relation to each other and to said rod that they are overcentered one after the other during the movement of said rod in either of said directions.

18. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contact members, a quick make and break mechanism for moving said movable contact member into and out of engagement with said stationary contact member, said mechanism including a rod mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, knife edge bearings for said rod, a plurality of toggles extending transversely of said rod and connected thereto, each of said toggles comprising a toggle arm having a lost motion connection with said rod whereby said arms can turn with said rod and also independently thereof to a limited extent, said lost motion connection of each toggle arm comprising an opening therein defined by spaced confronting edges forming opposed knife edges, said rod extending through said opening in each of said last mentioned toggle arms in engagement with said knife edges of each of said toggle arms at opposite sides of the rod, and means for overcentering said toggles.

19. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contact members, a quick make and break mechanism for moving said movable contact member into and out of engagement with said stationary contact member, said mechanism including a rod mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, a plurality of toggles extending transversely of said rod and connected thereto, each of said toggles comprising a toggle arm having a lost motion connection with said rod whereby said arms can turn with said rod and also independently thereof to a limited extent, said toggles being operable for overcentering thereof one in advance of another, each of said toggle arms comprising a disk having a center opening through which said rod extends, each of said disks having a pair of spaced projections, one of said disks having a part engageable with the projections, respectively, of the other disk whereby one toggle aids in overcentering the other toggle, and means for overcentering one of said toggles before the other in closing the switch and for overcentering said other toggle before said one toggle in opening the switch.

20. In an electric switch, stationary and movable contact members, a quick make and break mechanism for moving said movable contact member into and out of engagement with said stationary contact member, said mechanism including a rod mounted for turning movement about its longitudinal axis, knife edge bearings for said rod, a plurality of toggles extending transversely of said rod and connected thereto, each of said toggles comprising a toggle arm having a lost motion connection with said rod whereby said arms can turn with said rod and also independently thereof to a limited extent, said 10st motion connection of each toggle arm comprising an opening therein defined by spaced confronting edges forming opposed knife edges, said rod extending through said opening in each of said last mentioned toggle arms in engagement with said knife edges of each of said toggle arms at opposite sides of the rod, and means for overcentering one of said toggles before the other in closing the switch and for overcentering said other toggle before said one toggle in opening the switch.

CHRISTOPHER I. SMITH. SIDNEY ROCK. 

